Reaction chamber for contact masses



March 5, 1 935. J. w. 'HARRISON 1,992,946

, REACTION CHAMBER FOR CONTACT MSSES l Filed Feb. 2o, 1954 2sheets-sheet 2 Patented .Maru 5, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEREACTION CHADIBER FOR CONTACT MASSES poration of Delaware ApplicationFebruary 2o, 1934, serial No. 712,203

11 Claims.

This invention relates to converters for effecting chemical reactionsby, on, or in the presence of contact masses which may be inert oractive, either catalytically or otherwise. More particularly, it relatesto the chamber in which the reaction takes place and to certain novelfeatures having a bearing upon the reaction and upon the resultsobtained thereby.

One object of the invention is to provide a reaction chamber in whichthe reaction will take place under substantially the same conditions andto substantially the same extent throughout the chamber. Another objectis to contact a predetermined quantity of the charge with a unit volumeof the catalytic or other contact mass. Another object is to modifyconventional forms of converters in order to improve their operation, toincrease their yield, or to produce a superior product. Other objectswill be apparent from the detailed description which follows.

In a converter having fluid distributing and/or venting elementsembedded therein designed to produce uniformity of operating conditionsthroughout the reaction chamber, difficulties have been encountered inmaintaining uniform conditions and in securing the expected yield ofproducts from a transforming reaction, or in effecting reasonablycomplete regeneration of the mass when the latter is regenerated orreactivated while in place after an on-stream or transforming period.For convenience and for strength, especially when the reactions takeplace under pressure, converters are usually round in cross section,although they may be of any desired shape. In any case, a uniform andsymmetrical pattern of uid conducting and/or distributing elementsvdesigned to effect uniformity of action throughout the mass willrarely, if ever, t the reaction chamber. As a result, there will beirregular and unequal bodies of the contact mass in the marginal part 3fthe reaction chamber in contact with the converter wall on the one handand in unbalanced and non-uniform relation with the :duid conductingelements on the other. Such bodies function poorly and irregularly, ifat all," and often produce cold or hot areas which tend to spread andstill further disrupt the operation of the apparatus.

'I'he present invention overcomes or avoids the above diculties by theuse of suitable means for modifying the marginal portion of the reactionchamber so as to dispose substantially the same volume of the contactmass about each of the fluid conducting elements, thereby to producesubstanthe converter. To this end, the wall of the converter is made toconform, so far as practically possible, to the arrangement or patternof the fluid distributing and/or venting elements embedded in thecontact mass. The wall may be designed of the proper shape in thebeginning, or, if conventional, it may be changed permanently by the useof forms and filling material which hardens after it is in place. Aconvenient solution involves the use of inserts of suitable size, shapeand distribution. These inserts may be referred to as dummies, sincetheir primary function is to occupy space.

In order to illustrate the invention, concrete embodiments thereof areshown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view through a converter substantially onthe line 1-1 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view substantially on the line 2--2 ofFig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view of a quarter section of aconverter having a different arrangement of distributing and ventingconduits from that shown in Fig. 2;

Figs. 4 and 5 are fragmentary views similar to Fig. 3, showing differentdummy arrangements for the same converter; y

Fig. l6 is a vertical sectional -viewon an enlarged scale of a portionof a converter showing the dummy member in side elevation and means forsecuring the same in place;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary sectional and elevational view showing thelower end of the dummy member of Fig. 6 in front elevation;

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view on an enlarged scale substantially onthe line 8-8 of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 9 is a. sectional View conforming to the upper portion of Fig. 6,but on a slightly larger scale, and showing a modified form of securingbracket.

The converter shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a casing 10 enclosed by athick layer of heatinsulating material and having upper and lowerpartitions or tube sheets 12 and 13 dividing the interior of theconverter into a central reaction chamber and end chambers 14 and 15 forthe entering fluids to be converted or treated and for the products ofthe reaction. Either or both of the partitions or tube sheets 12, 13 maysupport fluid conducting elements extending into the re.- actionchamber, and either partition may have a layer of insulating materialsuch as 16 thereon to check heat losses between the reaction chamber andthe end chambers. In the form shown, the top tube sheet 12 supports aseries of perforated fluid conducting elements 17, while lower tubesheet 13 supports a similar series of perforated iluid conduits 18.Elements 17 and 18 may be single conduits, but are preferably of thenested conduit type such as disclosed, for example, in the copendingapplications of Eugene J. Houdry, Serial No. 569,530, filed October 17,1931, and Serial No. 611,363, led May 14, 1932, and in the copendingapplication of Thomas B. Prick'ett and Eugene J. Houdry, Serial No.612,222, illed May 19, 1932, so as to insure distribution of fluidsuniformly and at substantially the same temperature throughout thecontact mass M in the reaction chamber and to effect even transitions ofthe entire mass from one reaction temperature to another. Either seriesmay be used as the inlet members for the reactant fluids, while theother series provides the outlets, the movement of the fluids throughthe contact mass M being localized in a plurality of areas ofsubstantially the same size in a plurality of horizontal planes. Contactmass M may be of any type whatever for effecting or permitting thereaction desired, but is preferably composed of bits, fragments ormolded pieces of substantially the same size for uniformity of reaction,especially when the converter is used for alternate endothermic andexothermic reactions, as, for example, in the catalytic transformationof heavier hydrocarbons into lighter hydrocarbons followed by theregeneration of the catalytically active contact mass by the oxidationof the carbonaceous and tarry deposits made during the onstream ortransforming operation.

As indicated in Fig. 2, the particular converter shown is circular, andthe series of conduits 17 and 18 are in the pattern of a square. To makemass M conform to the pattern of the inlet and outlet elements and toinsure substantially the same volume of mass M per distributing oroutlet element, the volume of the reaction chamber must be modified.While this could be done by redesigning the converter case, it is morepractical and economical to modify the marginal portion of the case by afalse wall, preferably formed by space-occupying members or dummies ofsuitable size and shape. In the present instance, three forms ofdummies, namely 19, 20 and 21,

, differing in size and shape, are utilized, with the same formsrepeated in diametrically opposite parts of the reaction chamber.

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 illustrate a different pattern or disposition of fluidconducting elements (indicated diagrammatically only) and a progressionof dummy forms to suit the same. While the pattern shown in`Fig. 2 givesan equal number of conduits of both series, the hexagonal arrangement ofconduits shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 tends to provide twice as manyconduits or units of the series indicated by reference character 22 ascompared with the series of conduits indicated by reference character23. The units of the series 18 and 19 in Figs. 1 and 2 are of the samesize, while Athe units of the series 22 and 23 are of different sizes.

In the quarter section of the converter shown in Fig. 3, only twovertically disposed dummies are illustrated, a small one, 24, and a muchlarger one, 25, the outlines of which modify the marginal portion of thereaction chamber so as to dispose substantially the same quantity ofcontact mass M adjacent the conduits of both series. Fig. 4 shows a rsttransition in dummy forms and outlines, a larger number of individualunits being provided. Member 24a takes the place of v cent member 24 ofFig. 3, and members 25a1, 25a, 25a3, 25a, 25a5, and 25a8 take the placeof the single member 25 of Fig. 3. In Fig. 5, the dummy members arehollow and fabricated from sheet material, certain of the individualforms shown in Fig. 4 having been combined. In this instance, member 24htakes the place of members 24 and 24a of Figs. 3 and 4, respectively,while members 25131, 25172, 25b3, 25b4, and 25125 takeV the place ofmember 25 of Fig. 3 and members 25m-a6 of Fig. 4.

From Figs. 4 and 5 it will be apparent that, while the individual formsof dummy members shown do not proportion so exactly the volume ofcatalyst per conduit member as in Fig. 3, they are quite practical anddo overcome or avoid, to a very substantial extent, the diiliculties inoperation and temperature regulation involved when very markedirregularities in contact mass volume exist in the marginal portion ofthe converter.

Dummies 19 to 21 of Figs. 1 and 2, 24 and 25 of Fig. 3, and 24a and25111-0.6 of Fig-4 may be solid or hollow as desired. If solid, they maybe of any suitable material, metallic or otherwise, molded, cast orotherwise formed, and may be attached to or mounted in the converter inany suitable manner. They may be of heat insulating material or partlyof heat insulating material and of metal. However, dummies of the solidtype have certain disadvantages. If made of metal, they arelikely toabsorb too much heat; if of insulating material, they may not' take upsufficient heat. If the reaction temperatures are low, such soliddummies give reasonably satisfactory results. When the operatingtemperatures are high, a hollow form, preferably of metal, constructedafter the manner of any of the forms 24h and 25121-1)5 of Fig. 5, ispreferable. 'I'hese hollow dummies may be left open at top and bottom,or be otherwise vented as by ports in the side for free movement offluids and to avoid danger of distortion or of explosions.

Figs. 6 and 7'show one manner of securing in place a typical hollowdummy such as 25125. It is supported on lower partition 13 of theconverter on shims 26 which are fastened to partition 13 in any suitablemannerv as by welding. These shims are thick enough to permit movementcf fluid into the lower open end of the hollow dummy 25115, but notthick enough to provide a passage for the contact mass. A bracket, suchas 27 in Figs. 6 and 8, having an integral foot or base 27a suitablysecured to casing 10, as by welding, secures the upper part of "dummy25h5 in place in a manner to permit relative movement through expansionand contraction. To this end, bracket 27 has a vertical slot 28 throughwhich a bolt 29 extends to have threaded engagement with a nut 30 weldedto the inner face of the side wall of the dummy over an aperturereceivingbolt 29. A washer 31 may be interposed between the head of bolt29 and bracket 27. If space islacking between adjadummy members, alonger securing bracket 32 (Fig. 9) may be provided, with its base 32dwelded to the wall of casing 10 and with an outer b ent end 32h toengage the front face of a dummy member such as 25114. The outer bentend 32h may have the same bolt and slot arrangement to permit relativemovement as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. If the dummy and the converter wallwith which it is in contact are of the same material or of differentmaterials having the same or approximately the same coelcient ofexpansion, the fdummy" may be welded directly to the converter wall. Insuch a case,v

providing a wall of irregular outline about said chamber for insuring asubstantially equal volume of said mass for each of said elements.

2. A converter providing a reaction chamber,

' a contact mass in said chamber, uid distributing elements embedded insaid mass, and means restricting the volume of said mass between certainof said elements and the wall of said chamber.

3. A converter having walls defining a reaction chamber circular incross section, a contact mass in said chamber, iluid conducting elementsembedded in said mass in uniform symmetrical arrangement and inparallelism with the circular wall of said chamber, and means on saidcircular walls projecting into said chamber in a definite relation tothe arrangement of said elements to restrict the volume of said massbetween said wall and certain of said elements.

4. A converter providing a reaction chamber, a contact mass in saidchamber, uid distributing elements embedded in said mass, and spaceoccupying members or "dummies` interposed between certain of saidelements and the enclosing wall of said chamber to restrict the volumeof said mass lying therebetween.

5. A converter having walls dening a reaction chamber circular in crosssection, a contact mass in said chamber, uid conducting elements em-`bedded in said mass in uniform symmetrical arrangement and inparallelism with the circular wall of said chamber, and space occupyingmembers or dummies interposed between said elements and said circularwall selectively to restrict the volume of said mass therebetween.

6. A converter providing a reaction chamber, a contact mass in saidchamber, fluid conducting elements extending into said mass inparallelism with one another and with the surrounding walls of saidconverter and in symmetrical arrangement, and hollow members or dummiesmounted on said converted walls selectively to restrict the volume ofsaid mass in relation to certain of said elements.

7. A converter providing a reaction chamber,

-a contact mass in said chamber, iiuid conducting elements extendingintcrsaid mass in parallelism with one another and, with the surroundingwalls of said converter and in symmetrical arrangement, and spaceoccupying members or dummies adjacent said surrounding walls of saidconverter in suitable form and in such rela'- tion to the outermost ofsaid elements-to provide substantially the same volume of said contactmass about each of said elements.

8. A converter providing a reaction chamber, a contact mass in saidchamber, fluid conducting elements extending into said mass inparallelism with one another and with the surrounding walls of saidconverter and in symmetrical. arrangement. and space occupying membersdisposed at intervals adjacent said converter Walls selectively torestrict the volume of said mass in relation to. certain ofsaidelements. said members being mounted on said walls in a manner to permitrelative movement. l

9. A converter providing a reaction chamber, a conta/ct mass in saidchamber, iluid conducting elements extending into said mass inparallelism with one another and with the surrounding walls of saidconverter and in symmetrical arrangement, and hollow members or dummiesabout said converterfwalls selectively to restrict the volume of saidmass relative to certain of said elements, said members being vented andmounted upon said walls in a manner to permit rela- 4 tive expansion andcontraction.-

10. A converter providing a reaction chamber, a contact mass in saidchamber, fluid conducting elements extending into said massinparallelism with one another and with the surrounding walls of saidconverter and in symmetricalarrangement, and open ended hollow membersor dummies adjacent said surrounding walls selectively to restrict themarginal volume of said mas's, means spacing the lower ends of saidmembers from the bottom of said reaction chamber, brackets extendingfrom said walls, and a sliding connection between said members and saidbrackets.

11. A converter providing'a reaction chamber, a contact mass in saidchamber, uid conducting elements extending into said mass in parallelismwith one another and with the surrounding walls of said converter and insymmetrical arrangement, and open ended hollow members or dummiesadjacent `said surrounding walls selectively to restrict the marginalvolume of said mass, shims on the lower ends of said members serving asspacers and secured to the bottom of said ohamber,'brackets extendingfrom said surrounding walls, and bolt and slot connections between saidmembers and said brackets to permit limited relative movement resultingfrom expansion and contraction.

f JAlWES W. HARRISON.

